Buoyant drum for motor pontoons



Aug. 18, 1931. c. J". DU MOND Y 1,819,409

BUOYANT DRUM FOR MOTOR PONTOONS Filed April 4, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Al IORNEY Aug. 18, 1931. c. J. DU Mom 1,819,409

I v I BUOYANT DRUM FOR MOTOR PONTOONS Filed April 4, 192'! z Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 21 O W 11 7 Z4 A'ITORNEY Patented Aug. 18, 1931 arias STATES PATENT" OFFICE.

BUOYANT DRUM FOR MOTOR IPQNTOONS Application filed April 4, 1927. Serial No. 180,845. I c I w This invention relates to buoyant drums for motor pontoons and is an improvement over my U. S. Letters Patent #1,360,101.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to improve the floatability of the drum "by dividing the interior of the same into durable than those heretofore used for this.

purpose, and they further produce a more positive propelling action when in use.

A further object is the provision of a buoyant drum having equi-distantly spaced paddles mounted thereon, each of which has a front face disposed in alignment with the axis of the drum to take a firm hold in the water when the drum is rotating in a forward direction, and a rear or back face disposed at an acute angle with respect to the front face, which provides a partial resistance to the body of water when the drum is rotated in a reverse direction when bringing the pontoons to a stopwhen it is moving in a forward direction under its own momentum.

With these and other objects in View, the

invention resides in certain novel construction and arrangement of parts, the essential features of which are hereinafter fully described, are particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which':

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved pontoon drum.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 2 -2 of Figure 1.

l Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken at right angles to Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional perspective view through one of the paddles.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the reference numeral 10 designates my improved pontoon drum in its entirety and which includes an annular wall or cylinder 11 of a given diameter and which has angle irons 12 extending about its inner face at the side edges thereof. The angle irons 12 are Fixed to the inner face of'the annular wall 11 midway between the end walls 13 is a T- iron 15, the cross head of which fits flat against the inner walls of the annular wall 11, while the inwardly extending" flange serves as a support for a central wall or partition 16, which is riveted or welded tothe T-iron to form an integral part of the drum.

The partition 16 divides the drum into two separate compartments and they in turn are eachdivided into four separate compartments by four partitions 17 of general dihedral configuratiomwhich' have their adj acent fiat faces engaging each other to provide separate compartments 18. The par-' titions 17, there being eight altogether, are

secured to the inwardly extending flanges of angle irons 19 of a shape similar to the configuration of the partitions 17, and which are A fixedly mounted on opposite sides of the cenp tral'partition 16 and on the inner faces of the end walls 13. The curvilinear portionsof the partitions 17 are disposed diametrically opposite each other to provide a compartment 19 through which the shaft 14 passes. From the description thus far, it will be seen that I have provided a strong and durable construction'of drum which will withstand considerable strain without damage. By dividp as the remainder of the compartments are capable of keeping the same afloat.

Mounted transversely of the outer periphery of thedrum and arranged in suitable spaced relation to each other, are paddles of a novel construction. Each paddle comprises a front plate 21 having an angularly disposed flange 21. An angle iron 32 overlies the flange 21 while rivets 22 pass through the angle iron, flange and wall 11 to secure the parts in position. The plate 21 extends radially from the drum in alignment with the axis of the same. Riveted to the annular wall 11 rearward of the plate 21 is a rear plate 23 having its longitudinal edges offset to pro-v vide flanges 24 and 25, the flanges 25 bein disposed parallel to the plate21 but is space therefrom by a strip 26. Rivets pass through the angularly disposed flange 25, strip 26 and plate 21 to securely fasten these parts together. The flange 24 rests upon the annular wall 11 rearward of the plate 21, and is held thereagainst by an angle iron 24:, through which rivets 25 pass. A substantially ,U- shaped brace member 27 is riveted to the plates 21 and 23 to keep the same in spaced relation and strengthen the same. Any number of paddles may be provided on the drum, depending upon the diameter of the same.

By constructing a paddle of this kind, the same will provide a surface which will dig into the body of water when the drum is rotating in a forward direction, but owing to the pitch of the back of the paddle only a slight resistance to the water is set up upon the reverse or backward rotation of the drum, and which will be found most efficient when bringing the pontoon to a gradual and quick stop when moving forward under its own momentum.

The end'plates or disks 13 may have manholes oropenings 28 therein, which enter into the respective compartments but which are normally sealed by a closure plate 29 which is welded to the disks as at 80. I Shouldit become necessary to gain access to the compartments to repair any damage parts on the interior of the drum, the plate may be removed and access to the interior may be had through the opening 28.

Removable drain plugs 31 are provided in the annular wall 11 for draining any water which might accumulate in the respective compartments.

vWVhile I have described what I deem to be the mostdesirable embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that many of the details may be varied without in any way departing from the spirit of my invention, and I therefore do not limit myself to the exact details of construction herein set forth nor to anything less than the whole of my invention limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is y 1. In a pontoon propeller comprising a buoyant drum, paddles extending lengthwise of the periphery of' said drum and equi-distantly spaced therearound, each of said paddles including a front plate having an angularly disposed flange resting upon said drum, an angle bar disposed over said flange and riveted thereto and to said drum and front plate, a rear plate having oflset flanges along its longitudinal edges, one of which rests upon said drum and the other against a strip interposed between the outer end of said front plate and said last flange, rivets passing through said last flange, strip, and front plate to hold the same together, an angle iron seatedv against the lower flange and back plate and riveted thereto and to said drum, and a brace member interporting plate mounted on said front plate and having also a flange attached on the periphery of said wall.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

CHESTER J. DU MOND. 

